Lord Drayson: HMS "Campbeltown", with her support ship RFA "Bayleaf", is currently deployed in the Arabian Gulf as the ship allocated to Operation TELIC, the United Kingdom contribution to coalition forces in support of Iraqi Freedom. She is due to be relieved on station in late November 2005. Planning assumptions for this current military task deployment to the Gulf region are kept under constant review and there are no plans to change them at present.
	Our enduring maritime commitment to the Gulf, which has seen a continuous presence since in 1980, is enhanced from time to time by additional forces, such as carrier led task group deployments, submarines and survey vessels.

Lord Triesman: The Middle East peace process remains a high priority for the European Union's General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). The efforts of the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union/High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, have also helped to shape the international community's response to the situation on the ground.
	The EU continues to offer political and practical support to the work of the Quartet's Special Envoy for Disengagement, James Wolfensohn. At the 7 November GAERC, the council reiterated its support for James Wolfensohn and urged the parties to reach rapid agreement on the issues contained in his rapid action plan including arrangements for Gaza's borders and crossings, the Gaza seaport and airport, movement of goods and people between Gaza and the West Bank, and freedom of movement in the West Bank. The council also accepted Mr Wolfensohn's request, on behalf of the parties, that the EU consider playing a third party monitoring role at the Rafah crossing point on the Gaza-Egypt border and expressed the EU's willingness in principle to provide assistance with the operation of crossings at Gaza's borders on the basis of an agreement between the parties. The EU is currently considering a possible non-executive monitoring role.
	The EU continues to be one of the biggest international donors to the Palestinian Authority. On 19 September, the European Commission announced that it would provide around €280 million in 2005 to help build Palestinian infrastructure and revive the Palestinian economy. We are pleased that this money includes a. substantial contribution to help tackle the priorities identified by James Wolfensohn. At the 7 November GAERC, the council welcomed the Commission's detailed communication entitled EU-Palestinian co-operation beyond disengagement—towards a two-state solution.
	The EU is also working with US security co-ordinator, General Ward, to help the Palestinians in the field of security sector reform (particularly with regard to civil policing). At the 7 November GAERC, therefore, the council decided to launch a European security and defence policy police mission in the Palestinian territories to build on the work of the EU Co-ordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support and provide enhanced support to the Palestinian Authority in civil policing.
	The council continues to encourage both parties to make progress on the political track through implementation of the road map.
	Council conclusions on the Middle East peace process during the UK presidency of the EU can be found on the Middle East peace process pages of the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk.

Lord Triesman: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given by my right honourable friend the Minister for Europe (Douglas Alexander) to the Member for Gravesham (Adam Holloway) on 2 Nov 2005 (Official Report, Commons, col. 1092W). A successful, pro-development outcome to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial conference in Hong Kong in December remains a UK presidency priority. My department and other relevant government departments are taking every opportunity to discuss the WTO round with our EU partners, the European Commission and other WTO members and stakeholders. EU Foreign Ministers discussed the issue at the 21-22 November General Affairs and External Relations Council. EU Trade Ministers also discussed the WTO round during their informal meeting on 21 November. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta from 25–27 November will be an opportunity for discussion of the trade round by heads of state and government.